Labour is failing people and planet and must tax the super rich to build a fairer, greener future, says Scottish Green Co-Leader Lorna Slater.
Speaking at her party’s Spring Conference in Stirling, Ms Slater called for action to tax wealth and big polluters.
Addressing a capacity crowd, Ms Slater said:
“The last few years have been difficult for most people, but they haven’t been difficult for everyone.
“The wealth of billionaires has more than tripled since 2010.
“They’ve made out like bandits in the last few years, cashing in every step of the way.
“Through austerity, COVID, global market turmoil – the super-rich have been able to shore up their wealth whilst ordinary people and families have suffered.
“It is not right that as billionaires are getting richer and richer, household bills are getting higher and higher for everybody else.
“It is not right that fossil fuel companies have raked in huge profits, whilst abandoning any significant investment in green renewables.
“It is not right that some of the wealthiest people in our society are telling us that we cannot afford to provide vital services for people who need them while they are hoarding so much wealth.
“It’s not that we can’t afford good public services, it’s that we can’t afford billionaires.
“Billionaires should not exist.
“It is thanks to the Scottish Greens that the highest earners in Scotland, and people who own more than one home, have to pay more.
“When I see headlines in the right-wing press whining about Scotland’s fairer tax system – it makes me proud.
“We need to tax the rich.
“We need to think beyond income tax, we need to tax wealth, we need to tax carbon emissions and the big polluters to put money back into people’s pockets, back into public services and to build a fairer, greener country.”
Ms Slater finished by laying out Green policies that will cut carbon emissions while putting money back in people’s pockets.
Ms Slater said:
“In just over a year’s time, we’ll be heading into the 2026 Holyrood election and this is the story that we are going to tell.
“Just like free bus travel for under 22’s, the things we need the Scottish government to do on climate will improve life opportunities for Scots, and will put money back in their pockets.
“Green policies will make life better in practical ways.
“Warm homes.
“Clean air.
“Affordable trains.
“We know what change is needed.
“That’s why we exist.”
